Zwane backs Ngwenya to follow Zimbabwe’s football greats

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane believes Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has the ability to become the next major football star from Zimbabwe and is determined to help the young striker reach that level.

The 23-year-old scored again as AmaZulu defeated Siwelele 2-0 at Kings Park Stadium over the weekend, taking his tally to five goals across the Betway Premiership and MTN8 this season. Mlondi Mbanjwa also scored for Usuthu.

Zwane, who was a prolific goalscorer during his own playing career, has set his sights on developing Ngwenya into a forward capable of matching the achievements of Zimbabwean icons Peter Ndlovu, Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat.

The AmaZulu manager believes Ngwenya’s numbers could have been considerably higher last season had injury not interrupted his progress. He also pointed to the striker’s willingness to continue working through difficult moments as evidence of the attitude required to improve.

“We will work on Thando. I think Thando last season was something else. Even though I still say he scored six goals, he knows he missed. I don’t know how many 1v1s a goalkeeper can beat. He could have easily scored 15, 16 goals before he got injured,” Zwane said of Ngwenya’s form last season.

Ngwenya joined AmaZulu from Zimbabwean club FC Platinum at the start of the previous season and has continued to develop under Zwane’s guidance.

The coach recalled an occasion in Johannesburg when Ngwenya admitted he was struggling to maintain the pace of the match. Zwane said the forward responded positively when encouraged to continue.

“I remember in one game in Joburg, he said ‘coach I can’t keep up with the tempo of the game’ and I told him to soldier on. He’s got the right attitude.

“He is still young, but I think he will get to the level of the Musonas. I am his mentor and coach, and I will push him to reach that level.”

Zwane wants Ngwenya to earn the same level of recognition in Zimbabwe as some of the country’s most celebrated players when he returns home.

“I want Thando, when he goes to Zimbabwe, to be treated as the Musonas, Khama Billiat and Peter Ndlovu because he has the potential to reach that level. As a striker, he can score; he’s got goals in him,” Zwane said.

Ngwenya’s latest goal helped AmaZulu maintain a strong start to their league campaign. Usuthu have won two of their opening three matches, with the other fixture ending in a draw.

Their next challenge will be a difficult away match against Mamelodi Sundowns on 26 August.

Zwane will hope Ngwenya can continue his current scoring form as AmaZulu prepare for that encounter, while the coach’s longer-term ambition remains to help the striker fulfil his potential and become a leading figure in Zimbabwean football.